Outdoor Dining

Summer Comes Every Other Tuesday

Sometimes, it does seem like summer comes every other Tuesday of the warm season.  So when it does, your mind races to remember where to go and spend a few moments outdoors while ending your day with a great meal.  There's some excellent real estate in Seattle for doing just that with lots of food and price choices.  Here are ten suggestions for your summer outdoor dining pleasure.  Come on, and let's celebrate a little sunshine!

Bick's Broadview Grill

The food at Bick's can be a little hit and miss. Stick with the chicken dishes and ignore the fact that they think the food is spicy, but you find it bland. The porch has an nice view of the sunset to the northwest which is prevalent on even cloudy nights, as that area is in the banana belt which misses much of the Olympic standard fare.

Bick's Broadview Grill
10555 Greenwood Ave. N.
Seattle, 206-367-8481

El Camino

The back patio has a nice view of the gathering area below, where on Sundays you'll see the Fremont market place happening, and on Wednesdays in summer there's always a crowd watching a movie in the outdoor theater.  Tasty Southwestern Tex-Mex food here and the full bar features the best in Margarita's and other libacious concoctions with a south of the border twist.

El Camino
607 North 35th Street
Seattle, 206-632-7303

Ponti Seafood Grill

Just across from Fremont, Ponti's provides excellent seafood, a classy atmosphere and a view at the ship canal that links Lake Union with the Ballard Locks. Patio dining on sunny days is superb.

Ponti Seafood Grill
3014 Third Avenue N.
Seattle, 206-284-3000

Harborside Lake Union

Enjoy watching the ships float along on Lake Union from your Waterfront dining perch along the Westlake side.  The menu is the same as the McCormick and Schmick's chain and there's something for everyone here.  Go Tuesday nights when it's 'boat night' in the summer months.

Harborside Lake Union
1200 Westlake Ave N
Seattle, 206-270-9052

Ivar's Salmon House

Featuring an exquisite water view, nice bar and some of the best salmon around ,this Ivar's has been delighting locals and visitors for decades. But if you want to eat outside on the water you'll have to take a few steps back as that's reserved for the walk up salmon burger customers who get their food from the outdoor snack shack.  Boat parking next to the deck.

Ivar's Salmon House
401 NE Northlake Way
Seattle, 206-632-0767

Maggie Bluffs

Breakfast, gourmet burgers and salads make for a good jumping off point before your next sail on the water, or trip up to Discovery Park. Inside dining is nicely decorated, but the patio dining on sunny days is to die for.  Make this place your second office where you take your key meetings on your tab.

Maggie Bluffs
2601 W Marina Pl
Seattle, 206-283-8322

New Orleans

Seattle's best little Creole style room, New Orleans is about as close to traditional style Louisiana cooking as you'll get this side of the Cascades. Live local and national entertainment most nights.  The outdoor dining provides plenty of views of the street life in Pioneer Square, but be sure to keep an eye on your purse.

New Orleans
114 1st St
Seattle, 206-622-2563

Portage Bay Café

Just up the street from Lake Union, the Portage Bay Café pays homage to the rowing teams of yesterday and today, while serving up delicious casual American fare.  The outdoor patio looks onto Eastlake Avenue as it makes it's way across the artery of water between Lake Union and Lake Washington.  If it's too busy here, cross the bridge and hit the Red Robin.

Portage Bay Café
4140 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, 206-547-8230

Serafina

Rustic Euro-Italian fare graces a menu that changes three times a year. Intimate, candlelight dining and music four nights a week makes Serafina a first date best bet. The outdoor patio comes alive in the summer with blooms and sunny rays.  You'll swear you're dining somewhere in Italy.  Reservations suggested.

Serafina
2043 Eastlake Ave.
Seattle, 206-323-0807

Patrick Thomas